By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A federal judge dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” ruling the lyrics were opinion within the context of a rap battle. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas stated that the song’s accusations, though serious, would not be perceived as factual by a reasonable listener due to the heated and hyperbolic nature of the feud. The lawsuit, filed in January, alleged the track, which explicitly branded Drake as a pedophile, contained false and defamatory allegations, but the court sided with UMG, leading Drake’s legal team to announce plans to appeal the decision. The song, recognized for its success, was the culmination of a rap battle that included escalating personal insults.
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Judge tosses Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music over rap beef with Kendrick Lamar, and it seems the internet is having a field day. The whole situation is pretty simple to understand, really. Drake, after engaging in a high-profile rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, decided to sue his own record label, Universal Music Group (UMG). The core of the lawsuit was based on the concept of defamation, meaning Drake felt that UMG was somehow responsible for the statements made about him that he found damaging.
You see, for a defamation case to hold water, there has to be actual lies. The comments need to be demonstrably false and cause reputational harm. It sounds like the judge, in this case, wasn’t buying what Drake was selling. It’s worth noting that many people think the whole suit was kind of a weak move, given Drake’s involvement in the diss tracks. Engaging in the back-and-forth of a rap battle, and then turning around and suing over the fallout, seems a little… hypocritical, doesn’t it?
The reaction online has been overwhelmingly negative. People aren’t shy about expressing their opinions, with many using colorful language to describe their feelings. Terms like “whiny bitch,” and variations on that theme, are cropping up frequently. There is a sense that Drake is seen by some as a bit of a manufactured persona, which is further illustrated with reference to his acting background before he blew up as a rapper. This perceived inauthenticity might be feeding into the critical reaction to the lawsuit.
It seems to be a common theme in the comments that Drake’s current musical output, specifically a track where he attempts a Jamaican accent, is considered particularly cringeworthy. This criticism further supports the general perception that his artistic choices are questionable. Comparisons to Donald Trump, which is also prevalent, suggests some people see him as someone who’s often trying to block any criticism.
The judge’s perceived dismissal of the case has seemingly brought a lot of joy to those who found the lawsuit to be ridiculous. It’s as if the judge was annoyed more than anything. It’s a reminder that even celebrities aren’t immune to the consequences of their actions, especially when those actions involve engaging in a very public and heated dispute. The legal system is one place the celebrity can’t be shielded.
Then there’s the discussion of the rap battle itself and a comparison with Tupac, and the idea that his image was “made up.” It seems the comments are saying that it’s the same for both. It shows some of the comments are confused, but the underlying message is that they both created an image for themselves. However, it does seem that there is some confusion, as this is a different case and the case centers around Drake. Drake is seen as “whiny” and therefore is not like “Tupac”. The general sentiment seems to be that Drake’s attempt to fight back through the courts was a misstep.
The internet’s reaction seems to boil down to a collective shrug and a sense of, “Well, what did you expect?” There’s a prevailing sentiment that Drake got himself into this mess by getting involved in the rap beef. The idea that he was somehow unfairly maligned is met with skepticism.
There’s also the discussion about some people’s perspective on Toronto. Some of them don’t consider Drake a good representative of the city. Others are pointing out that the whole thing is really just an advertisement, highlighting a theme about Drake, to show him in the negative light. It’s a harsh assessment, but it’s clearly one held by many people online.
Finally, the fact that the lawsuit was tossed out is seen as a victory for the perceived underdog. The idea that Drake, with all his money and fame, couldn’t win in court is seen as a comeuppance. So, in the end, it seems the judge’s decision is a welcome outcome for most of the internet, who seem to be celebrating the defeat of Drake’s defamation lawsuit.